Michael is currently the Artistic Director of Canyon Concert Ballet, delivering his fourth season with the company in 2024 - 2025. He is also Choreographer for Cincinnati Opera, recently collaborating on the world premiere of Paul McCartney's staged version of Liverpool Oratorio.

He began his classical training in Brisbane, Queensland, and was accepted to study at the Queensland Dance School of Excellence. In 2002, Michael was accepted into the New Zealand School of Dance, where he completed his dance training and joined the Royal New Zealand Ballet. During his time in New Zealand, Michael worked with the Royal New Zealand Ballet and was privileged to perform in works by Val Caniparoli, Jiri Kylian, Frederick Ashton, Stanton Welch, and George Balanchine.

After returning to Australia, Michael worked with Queensland Ballet before taking a break from dance to expand his skills in design. However, his love of dance led him to return to the arts industry, training in contemporary dance with the Australian Dance Collective and Australian Dance Theatre. He then launched a successful career as an independent dancer, working with Leigh Warren and Dancers, Melbourne Ballet Company, Victoria State Ballet, and Opera Victoria.

Michael’s passion for creating ballets came to the forefront in 2011 when he choreographed for the Victoria State Ballet and the Melbourne Fringe Festival. Recognizing his talent for choreography and artistic direction, Michael was appointed Artistic Director of Melbourne City Ballet in 2013 and promoted to Artistic Director/CEO in 2016. There, he leveraged his design and dance talents to build the organization into Australia’s largest classical touring company, performing over 100 shows annually across Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. During his seven years as Artistic Director, Michael’s works were nominated for numerous dance awards.

In 2016, Michael was invited to work as co-director with Niconomiel Dance Company in Osaka, Japan. There, he produced full-length ballets and contemporary works, showcasing local Japanese dancers in collaboration with guest dancers from Australia and Brazil.

Michael joined San Jose Dance Theatre in January 2020 as an Artistic Associate and also worked with Opera San Jose as a choreographer for the critically acclaimed "Dido and Aeneas" and continued to work with the company on "West Side Story."

Michael was appointed Artistic Director at Canyon Concert Ballet in January 2022 and later that year choreographed "Aida" for Cincinnati Opera, and in 2023, choreographed "Ariodante" for Pittsburgh Opera.